Johnny Osbourne is one of the most iconic reggae singers, having churned out numerous hits over a prolific musical career spanning nearly five decades.

The veteran singer rose to prominence in the late 1970s. Some of his more popular songs — Yo, Yo, Rewind, Water Pumping, Buddy Bye and No Ice Cream Love — remain just as poignant today as when they were originally released decades ago.

Mr Osbourne is in Bermuda to perform at tonight’s Veterans in Action Annual Remembrance Day show at BAA Gymnasium.

The reggae star spoke with The Royal Gazette’s Colin Thompson, prior to his arrival.

Q: You have been involved in the reggae industry since 1967, what has been the key to your longevity in the business?

A: The reason why I think I have been able to prevail is because I am not stuck in a zone or era. I’m a musician and a singer from the old school but I don’t live there or stay there. Me is not an ‘old school’ singer but an ‘every school’ singer.

Q: Were you inspired by other singers as a youngster?

A: In my younger years I listened to great American singers like Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke and Stevie Wonder to mention a few and in Jamaica Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe.

I listened a lot to Alton and Ken because them hard singers who sing from them heart and soul. I grew up around Alton and Ken and they are my friends. One is Mr Rocksteady and the other is Mr Rock Hard Soul.

Q: What is your favourite song that you have produced?

A: Truth and Rights is one my favourite songs, as well as Jah Promise, Love is Here to Stay, Ice Cream Love, We Need Love.

I can’t have one favourite because I have too many songs in my repertoire to just have one favourite. Each one of them is from a different genre or phase of music.

Q: Do you write a lot of your songs?

A: Ninety-nine per cent of what I sing is what I write. I may cover a few songs that I like and if I think I’m not doing a good job as a cover then I won’t cover it.

Q: What would like your musical legacy to be once you retire?

A: I want my legacy to be great listening music that can really teach something.

I just want to produce good music that can play any day, anywhere and anytime so I don’t sing stuff that you can’t play on the air or in the house around your family. I don’t want any underground music.

Q: Reggae is now global. Do you believe that you have played an integral role in spreading reggae music around the world?

A: People all around the world just love reggae and I am glad to have played a part in this. As an iconic Jamaican artist who has been a pioneer in this reggae fraternity for so long, I try to keep it real and what it is supposed to be. I always carry reggae in every place and I am proud to do this because I try to sing lyrics that can really spread out and go anywhere in the world to really represent Jamaica. Every lyric I put out has to be good enough to represent my country.

Q: Are you happy with the direction that reggae music is heading?

A: Whether you are happy or not doesn’t mean nothing because that’s the way it is. The music is going to change and then everything will change and you find that one generation likes something while another generation listens to something different that they want to hear. Change is going to happen so you can’t stop that. I just make sure that I stick to my thing and make the people feel good.

Q: During the late 1970s you produced songs at the late Coxsone Dodd’s legendary Studio One which is regarded as the “Motown” of reggae music. Was that experience a privilege?

A: That was an honour and a long lasting dream because I was trying to get into that studio from the 60s and I didn’t get a chance to get an audition for years. I couldn’t reach to the front of the line so I migrated to Canada for ten years and came back to Jamaica in 1979-1980 and that was the first time I recorded anything for Studio One.

Q: Are you still fairly active in the industry these days?

A: I am still active and doing things. I tour all over Europe three times per year every year and I just did some collaborations with two groups in France and not too long ago a nice remix collaboration with Major Lazer.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: I like photography and cooking. I like to cook fish and vegetables.